Thursday 23 October 2014

New Vinyl Chart - 10 x Funk & Soul 7"s + 10 x Nu Disco House Techno & Bass 12"s


Double header of 10 x funk and soul 7"s and 10 x nu disco house techno bass 12"s, with another 10 older but equally essential releases for good measure. Click on the link below for this month's chart.

http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/536543-Paul_Thornton_itch_Dig_Deep/1260959-Chart/

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Dig Deep Recommends:Harvey Scales - Trying To Survive


Every so often I come across a soul record that blows my head off. The first time I heard Trying To Survive was one of those days. Stop you in your tracks poignant and soulful lyrics over some of the funky grooves you will ever hear.

Originally released by James Thorpe on his Magic Touch label in Chicago Illinois, the original pressing of this super rare funky soul 45 has fetched up to $2000 in recent years.

Rarity aside, it's the lyrics that do it for me. It sounds like it was released back in the 70's so it's sad to think some 40+ years they still make sense today.

Trackdown, a more Northern sounding cut, maintains the quality on the b side.

The reissue that came out earlier this year is virtually sold out in the shops, but Juno Records have just had a restock. A must-have for all soul lovers that don't want to shell out for the original (that's if they can find one).

http://www.juno.co.uk/products/harvey-scales-trying-to-survive-1-per/546877-01/


Saturday 18 October 2014

Dig Deep on Cowbell Radio #18 with BLACK (Lost Control / Now Wave)


This month I am pleased to bring you an exclusive mix from Manchester based DJ BLACK.

One of the new breed, it is quickly becoming apparent that BLACK has spot on tastes and he can always be relied upon to deliver a set of quality house, techno, future garage or nu disco.



He is resident at Lost Control where previous guests have included DMX Crew, Perseus Traxx, Youngstar and Asok. The next event at the Q Cavern is on November 7th and features special guests Alexander Robotnick, James Holroyd and Tim Morrison (check the podcast below).

BLACK has put together this set especially with Cowbell Radio in mind so it's no surprise artists include Mugwump, Depeche Mode, Sabres Of Paradise, Lord Of The Isles and Richard Sen.

As usual PT will have a wedge of his own tips and selections - breaking new music whilst not forgetting the classics.

Tracklist:

Sunday 12 October 2014

Cream Of The Crop - October 2014 Vinyl Chart


Mixed bag as always, this month's number #1 goes Opposite People, a respectful edit of the Fela classic by Bosq.

It's rare for a track to be repeated in my charts but Discipline by Funkineven featuring Jay Daniel is still blowing me away. Harvey Scales' Trying To Survive is essential soul music. Meanwhile Lidell Townsell's Jack The House off the Party People Jack Your Body EP has been reissued on Trax.

Nick Weston's consistently strong Mukatsuku label is back on it, with Lost & Funk Soul Gems Volume Two, featuring Loleatta Holloway's 'Bring It On', but my pick is 'I'll Be Around' by Ron Henderson & Choice Of Colour on the B side.

New discovery for me, check K15's ace Hall Of Memories on Wotnot Music for one of the freshest tracks of the year. The EP also features the original of Bordeaux plus remixes by Glenn Astro & Imyrmind and Kaidi Tatham.

Christiana Essien's sought after You Can't Change A Man is a sweet piece of afrodiscosoul and comes in either black or 2 shades of blue. Always go for the black vinyl where possible!

Secret Squirrel Volume 5 maintains the high quality with two more nu disco gems. The A side turns Willie Colon's 'Set Fire To Me' into a lovely deep grower whilst the B side takes on Electric Chair classic 'The Final Time' by Steve Bender.

Detroit Techno fans may want to snap up the purple vinyl reissue of Mayday's Sinister, the Undisputed mix has been a personal favorite for a long time.

Terry Farley Presents Acid Rain: Definitive Original Acid & Deep House 1985-1991 12" Sampler 1 off the Top 10. DJ Pierre's Box Energy and Laurent X - 'Machines' both rep on the 303 classic front whist Ralphi Rosario - 'In The Night' is a new found love that slipped me by the first time.

And there are another 20 releases after that including Fela Kuti Vinyl Box Set 3, which comes 7 x 180 gram 12"s and is compiled By Brian Eno... Click on the link below for this month's chart.

http://www.juno.co.uk/charts/dj/536543-Paul_Thornton_itch_Dig_Deep/1230185-Chart/

Friday 10 October 2014

Mesmeric Launch Party


House and techno never went away for me, but over the last few years it seems there has been an abundance of decent, deep, soul laced, funk dowsed, jazz tinged, bass ridden electronic music from new and upcoming producers.

At the same time classic labels such as Trax, KMS, DJ International, Pheerce City and Harmless are reissuing many of the original Chicago and Detroit based releases that made such an impact in the UK the first time around.

Meanwhile 2nd gen producers like Omar S, Ob Ignitt, Theo Parrish, Jay Daniel, Kyle Hall, Kai Alce, Mike Huckaby, Rahaan, Jamie 3:26 etc continue to lay down some of the finest and filthy grooves ever to grace a dance floor. And let's not forget the talent from across Europe.

Add that to the amount of disco and boogie records that have been unearthed, given the re-edit treatment, then tagged Nu and we have what has to be one of the strongest and most fertile underground scenes in the world right now.

So with all that in mind, this Saturday sees the launch of a new club night for Preston.  It's called Mesmeric and it has been born to give the DJs that are booked the chance to play all the new music they are feeling right now, on a loud PA, to the decent sized core of music heads that live in and around the city. Here is the lowdown:


Upstairs, sound in, lights off, decks on.

COTTAM (Ruff Draft)
JOHN TREE (The Perfumed Garden)
PAUL THORNTON (Dig Deep)

HOUSE // TECHNO // ACID // DISCO

Free in before 11pm // £3 after

The Adelphi,
Fylde Road, Preston